Gender Disparities in the Unhoused Population
An alarming 226,980 women and girls represent all unsheltered people in America. If history is indicative of the treatment these unhoused women face (and it is), these women will likely face sexual violence and discrimination while homeless. In 2022, 5,718 homeless people populated Orange County, with 3,057 unsheltered, recorded through the point-in-time count. Thirty-nine percent of the homeless population is female, and every homeless woman is vulnerable to a barrage of gender-related issues. These women are susceptible to an array of trauma, and this susceptibility is only exacerbated by living as a female minority in a male-dominated environment. We discussed the statistical comparison of homeless men and women with Mitchell Raff, Director of Clothing the Homeless. "Women should not be homeless because of how vulnerable they are," said Raff, making a point to bring up the violence directed towards homeless females. In Orange County specifically, 9.84 percent (289 adults) of the homeless population have been devastated by domestic violence. A 2017 DC Women's Needs Assessment report published by The Women's Task Force of the District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness found that over half of homeless women face violent victimization. Due to underreporting, this number is likely much higher.
Even while seeking shelter, homeless shelters have proven to put these women and girls at risk. For women looking for a haven amid the dangers on the street, co-ed facilities still provide a place for their male counterparts to assault, victimize, and offer substances to them. “The best opportunity was to go into a homeless shelter for domestic violence victims. It was horrifying: There were feces on the walls, children running around naked,” states Jessica from Ohio in an interview with the New York Times. In response to the ever-present dangers that still exist in these facilities, unhoused women and girls' path of recourse is often sleeping in their car or temporarily living at a friend's house. Even life after experiencing homelessness as a woman can bring on mental health issues like depression and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These post effects can impact a person's ability to form trusting relationships or build a support system and can lead to issues with substance abuse, furthering a cycle of homelessness.
Homeless Population Across Orange County Cities based on Statistics from Orange County Homeless Count
The Washington Post published a shocking article focused on the personal story of Alberta Williams, a woman who dealt with sporadic homelessness and continuous drug use throughout her life, which she traces back to a jarring experience of sexual assault. Much like Alberta Williams, many women's stories and experiences with homelessness are intertwined with violence, the aftermath of which is often PTSD. Her example is, unfortunately, a similar story to many women who face homelessness.
Additionally, these women faced poor physical health, which impacted them later in life. Homeless women face gender-based violence only exacerbated by living as the female minority—but why are women the minority? Extensive research and studies on the unhoused population have consistently shown that homeless men are more likely to be involved in criminal activities and substance abuse issues. In contrast, homeless women are less likely to be affected by these factors. This significant contrast is crucial in the disparity between homeless women and men. Among the 2.2 million incarcerated individuals in the United States, a majority of the unsheltered population comprises men who have accumulated substantial debt, engaged in criminal activity and struggled with excessive drug and alcohol use. In the case of vulnerable women, a significant portion of them are elderly individuals who have experienced insecurity due to factors such as divorce, abusive households, or the loss of a partner. The unimaginable choice between staying with an abusive partner or facing homelessness is a harsh reality for many of these women. Organizations like Laura's House in Orange County specialize in providing shelter and legal support to victims of domestic violence, including women, men, and children. Their efforts have positively impacted the lives of over 55,000 individuals. "I wanted to gain a feeling of self-worth. I wanted to become independent from my abuser. I wanted to be honest and say what has happened to me," said a shelter graduate. It is undeniable that in the past century, a significant amount of needed attention and awareness has been brought to women's equality and empowerment, with a recent emphasis on sexual violence and harassment. As progress continues, it would be grossly negligent to overlook the most vulnerable members of the female community: people experiencing homelessness. People without homes are often ignored based on other people's judgments or preconceived notions, and homeless women pay the price. The importance of giving a voice and a better future to these women who face the fear of violence cannot be stressed enough.